Console-Tribe

Pac-Man World Re-Pac has been a delightful return, providing hours of simple fun and entertainment thanks to its simplicity and gameplay that hasn't aged much over 20 years. A trip down memory lane for both nostalgic players and younger audiences who couldn't experience this first 3D Pac-Man adventure.

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Money-grabbing operation or a true gift for nostalgics (or simple enthusiasts)? The truth, as always, lies in the buyer's expectations. It's worth emphasizing that for a real fan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is a sort of Holy Grail of the turtle quartet's adventures, bringing back their most famous and beloved productions. In this sense, for once (at the risk of repeating myself), we are pleasantly compelled to commend Konami's moves, which, unlike in recent times, have shown respect for fans' affection. Rich in extras, the collection is a good reason to beat up the Foot Clan's thugs again, perhaps preparing tissues to wipe away the tears of those who spent endless hours with the four pizza-loving ninjas in the roaring '80s and '90s.

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Cult of the Lamb is a small gem, an experiment nearly successful but not quite there: the mix of action and strategy, along with unique and well-crafted stylistic choices, makes it a contender for the title. What it lacks to enter the pantheon is a necessary content extension and more meticulous balancing of its parts. Nonetheless, it's a unique and interesting experience, perfect for those not particularly expert in the genre (and who don't have specific religious sensitivities).

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Mixing my gaming career with the skates and violence of Rollerdrome was a pleasant surprise, especially given the lukewarm (to say the least) appeal of the announcement trailer. Roll7's title, like all the studio's productions, is much more fun to play than to passively watch. The reasons lie in gameplay that perfectly blends the team's freestyle spirit with an adrenaline-fueled, well-constructed TPS framework. The resulting mix is original and engaging, aided by a non-trivial challenge level, though it lacks overall content, admittedly a bit limited, but in line with the selling price. Hopefully, the English team can expand their creation over time, as the dystopian world of Rollerdrome seems to have many more stories to tell.

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Disappointment seems the right word to conclude this review of Digimon Survive. We knew we were getting a Visual Novel long before getting our hands on the game, but once we did, it felt like a questionable, if not unfortunate, choice. The plot is the only redeeming quality, but it can't save a production that risks boring players with its very slow pace and shallow gameplay.

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Severed Steel, despite some inherent limitations, is an excellent product: lively gameplay, ultra-dynamic action, a level design that endlessly reworks a few good concepts, all make up for a limited campaign only partially invigorated by the FireFight mode. A fine product at a reasonable price, sure to please those who enjoy shooters mixed with high doses of frenetic parkour.

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Judging Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 & 2 isn't easy, especially from the perspective of a fan of Manfred Trenz's creation. Such fans might overlook the ill-advised (and money-grabbing) decision to split the collection into two volumes, driven by love that's hard to quantify economically. Setting this particular target aside, the two well-packaged collections offer a rich gaming history with thoughtfully conceived enhancements, albeit at a steep price. As always with nostalgia-driven operations, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. As a series superfan, I recommend waiting for a price drop despite the collection's quality. The spontaneous question arises: a new episode?

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As Dusk Falls truly convinced me, despite the compromises of a fledgling independent team. The adopted graphical style might displease realism and interaction purists, and the bland QTEs, but the narrative's quality and multiple branches overshadow these drawbacks. If you let yourself be captivated by the intertwined fates of the Holt and Walker families, you'll encounter a ruthless and multifaceted story with characters you can't help but grow attached to, striving to save them from life's cruel circus of situations. An imperfect debut in every aspect, but showcasing the founders' veterans' skill in branching adventures. Definitely a title to try and enjoy, perhaps with friends. Hopefully, a sequel will come, given the open ending.

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It's been almost nine years since P.T.'s debut, but thanks to (or because of, depending on the case) productions like Madison, this time lapse seems much shorter. The title's clear inspiration from the famous playable teaser is evident, but Bloodious Game's unique vision of that formula is appreciable. While the story is predictable, the gameplay is engaging and stimulating, with unique and challenging puzzles that entertain genre fans. The constant absence of real threats might displease horror purists, but the overall sense of tension and danger isn't sidelined. It may not be perfect in every aspect, but Madison avoids being a soulless copy of Hideo Kojima's small creation.

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I'll admit it, after playing Klonoa: Phantasy Reverie, my desire to roam with Namco Bandai's Dream Traveler is as strong as it was in 1998 (when the first chapter debuted). Despite the passage of time, the duo of titles marking the brand's debut has retained its stylistic and playful charm. However, being a mere re-release, the collection seems somewhat lazily produced—a well-executed but too essential task. Adding portable spin-offs might have been too much, but including some extras for both veteran players and newcomers would have added that little extra. Let's hope for good sales to remind Namco Bandai that a new Klonoa wouldn't be unwelcome in today's gaming landscape.

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Redout 2 is certainly one of the best arcade racing titles on the market: compared to the past, developers have introduced many small but significant changes to enhance the gaming experience. The game remains dynamic and adrenaline-fueled, offering a high challenge level. This will delight veterans but might be tough for casual players. Overall, the work is excellent: many tracks, numerous customizable vehicles with various components. However, there are relatively few race types and game modes, especially for the currently underdeveloped online mode.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is literally the game longtime ninja turtle fans have been waiting for—a true homage to the golden era (and incarnation) of the four amphibious fighters. Modeled after the original arcade, Tribute Games' title can be criticized only for its heavy inspiration from that period, resulting in limited story mode longevity. Its arcade nature may not appeal to those uninterested in online leaderboards or arcade challenges, or who aren't emotionally tied to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's creations. Those who grew up with pizza and cowabunga can dive in with their eyes closed.

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Do you love old-school shoot 'em ups? Enjoy adrenaline-filled experiences? Appreciate well-programmed productions? Want to pay tribute to a local developer? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I recommend getting Remote Life. Mario Malagrino's solo project is a successful homage to classic bullet hell productions, with some (well-executed) variations on the theme. Ready to save Earth from bad aliens once again?

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The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is another attempt to merge cinema and video games. While it presents a few interesting ideas and overall decent execution, it fails to firmly dispel the decades of prejudice associated with this (apparently) unnatural union. The overall blend works more due to the narrative's strength than the gameplay. The deductive framework that the plot implies is overly permissive and linear, reducing player involvement to a minimum. Adding multiple-choice dialogues with negligible impact, the result is an enjoyable title that doesn't advance this hybrid genre.

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The phrase "has potential but doesn't apply itself" could be reversed to describe Dolmen's final result. Massive Work Studio's title showcases great effort and ideas that, while not groundbreaking, outline a game where undeniable commitment clashes with forgettable overall execution. Interesting ideas related to the combat system are limited by its execution, which feels too clunky and rudimentary. Combined with fairly anonymous design, Dolmen is hard to recommend for those who've already exhausted Elden Ring. It's a brave debut, perhaps too much so, but the talent is there. I'm personally curious to see the team at work again, maybe on a project more within their reach.

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Kao the Kangaroo is an honest and clear homage to a gaming period cherished by many fans. Tate Multimedia's title is simple and straightforward, not aiming to rewrite genre history but, aware of its limits, offering a colorful and carefree experience. Aimed more at younger audiences than demanding veterans, Kao's adventure is a pleasant distraction, perfect for taking a breather while waiting for more demanding and complex productions.

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In conclusion, is it worth trying? If you have NEVER played The Stanley Parable, you shouldn't even be here. But at this point, I absolutely recommend trying it because even if you've spoiled everything, it's still an experience worth having. If you've played The Stanley Parable but haven't played Ultra Deluxe, you also shouldn't be here. But does anyone follow the rules on this site? Anyway, since you're here... Ultra Deluxe isn't what you expected, and I don't know if I can recommend buying it, but having lowered your expectations so much, maybe you'll appreciate it a bit more. I'll say what's banal and expected, like everything in Stanley Parable: the choice is ultimately yours. The title, in its entirety, remains an excellent game, finally accessible to the console audience, and I can't help but recommend it. Whether this is enough or not is no longer up to me to decide.

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Evil Dead The Game is a splendid homage to Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's immortal "comic-horror" brand. The excellent work reviving the bloody glory of the film production blends well with a deep and well-crafted gameplay system, even if not revolutionary for the genre. Despite some technical hiccups and debatable design choices, Saber Interactive's title is one of the best in asymmetric multiplayer. However, it still struggles with the genre's main enemy, repetitiveness. But with proper support, the game will surely have a long life!

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Small in price and scope, but overall a decent appetizer for Hundred Heroes. This sums up Elyuden Chronicles: Rising, the prequel to the spiritual successor (at least in intentions) of Suikoden. Simple in writing and general offering, this action/RPG boasts an interesting and enjoyable combat system, with commendable and stylistically interesting technical execution. It's not all gold, as it is essentially a large, fragmented side quest with few surprises, but viewed as an introduction to Allraan's world, Elyuden Chronicles: Rising might be more appealing than expected.

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Not a revolution, but a definite expansion: this marketing-like motto perfectly describes Rogue Legacy 2, the second chapter of the roguelike saga that began about ten years ago. Cellar Door Games has expanded and improved every aspect of the game, making it one of the best roguelikes on the market, even allowing difficulty adjustment for newcomers. Fans of the first will love the second even more. However, after ten years, some might have expected more significant steps to evolve the series, but that may come in the future.

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